Customer Reviews

I Ought to Be in Pictures [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Where has this movie been all my life! I've just this week discovered this hidden treasure on a cable channel, and have already ordered a copy for myself through Amazon.com! I tuned in purely because I admire Neil Simon stories so much, plus the fact that this film was carried by Dinah Manoff, Walter Matthau, and Ann Margaret. Little did I know that I was going to be riveted to my chair for 2 hours! Dinah Manoff leaves NYC and travels across the country to find her long-lost father (Matthau) out in California; Margaret plays his love interest (and mine as well). The result of this trio coming together is sheer delight! Dinah Manoff alone should have gotten an Oscar for her work in this movie! I cannot shout enough praises for this film. If you have dry eyes by the time this movie ends, then you lack lachrymal glands, friend.

This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. I loved it when it first came out and couldn't wait to get it in my VCR library. It took awhile, but I finally tracked it down. The storyline is great and Dianah Manoff and Walter Matthau are great in it. If you haven't seen the movie Rent it, Buy it, do what ever you have to to see it, you'll love. Great Movie.....

I cannot believe how much utter junk has appeared in DVD format, and that several good movies, like this one, have not. Overall, this is not a great movie, but it is definitely worth seeing. It is certainly at least a worthwhile "B" movie.

Its real virtue, however, is the fine scene (at about 1:18) when the daughter insists on having a conversation with her dad about sex, and specifically the emotional side of sex. Indeed, far too much of what passes as sex education (1) deals primarily with the physical side of sex, or (2) just simplistically demands unquestioning abstinence. Both of these approaches largely ignore the fact that a human's primary sex organ is the mind. This scene in "I Ought to Be in Pictures" could be used to start a really meaningful and helpful pre-sex discussion.

This is the 1982 film follow - up to the very successful Neil Simon broadway play of the same title. (Dinah Manoff) reprises her tony award winning role as a nineteen year old girl who leaves New York City for Los Angeles with high hopes of becoming a hollywood actress. While in L.A. , Manoff decides to contact her long lost father (Walter Matthau) who deserted her 16 years earlier. At first Matthau who only seems interested in drinking and gambling does not show an interest in patching up his shatterd relationship with his daughter. But then Matthau decides to have Manoff move in with him and his live in girlfriend (Ann - Margret) and the three of them really start to mesh together , not only does Matthau and Manoff revitalize their broken relationship but Matthau reaches out to Manoff's brother (at least over the phone) after not speaking to him for years on end. Matthau does a decent job (not great) in his role. Ann - Margret is just (ok) as Matthau's gilfriend. However , Dinah Manoff is cute and charming and should have won an Oscar for carrying this film all by herself.